Health policy after the crisis : more of the same or a new path?

Abstract

Years of pre-crisis adhesion to ‘new public management’ in health policy have seen public provision eroded. Now is an opportunity to change course. Governments across Europe have introduced a series of health-policy measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. These have sought primarily to limit the spread of the virus and treat its victims, but also more generally to ensure access to medical care in these times of crisis. While such measures suggest a U-turn in health policy, it remains to be seen whether they will lead to path-breaking developments across Europe once the crisis is gone.